Detroit woman depicts real-life horrors in front yard

DETROIT (AP) — A Detroit woman said she hopes a display in her front yard this Halloween season will shine light on real-life horrors.

Larethia Haddon has placed six dummies in her front yard portraying police shootings, slain children, the Flint water crisis and other tragedies, MLive reported (http://bit.ly/2dSD6HB ).

Last year, Haddon shocked passers-by and prompted calls to the police by placing a single dummy face-down in her yard, realistically depicting a dead body. This year, she said she hopes to spark critical thinking on real life issues.

"We're trying to do something positive instead of just having a dead body laying in the yard," she said. "Want to get people to be a little more focused on the issues, what's going on in the world. We need to stick together more. We need to come together. And if we don't, this scene in my yard is going to be reality every single day."

Haddon said her 5-year-old and 10-year-old grandchildren inspired the idea when they told her they weren't afraid of the boogeyman or monsters, but of what's happening in the world today.

Crowds come to look at her display at a steady pace throughout the day, Haddon said.

She welcomes visitors to view the display and said she hopes to raise awareness on issues Michigan cities face.

According to Haddon she sets up the yard by 9 a.m. every day and takes it down when the sun begins setting.